Greenways System Recommendations
The following paragraphs summarize recommendations
for putting the proposed Huron Greenways system into place.
wetland plants
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| Protect,
Don’t Acquire |
| Because so many significant public properties
already exist in the coastal portions of Cheboygan, Presque Isle, Alpena
and Alcona Counties, acquisition of additional properties is not a priority
at this time. Rather, it is important for the constituent local,
county, state and federal governmental entities to work together at developing
linkages between existing public sites. Furthermore, it is important
to emphasize protection and sound management of existing sites. Careful
consideration will be needed to decide if management should be oriented
to recreational use, ecological preservation, or a combination of the two.
Public support for protection of existing sites should be encouraged. |
| Tie Greenways to Local
Planning, Recreation Development and Land Use Process |
| Mackinaw City, Rogers City and the City
of Alpena have all made a greenways system an important part of the community’s
local planning and recreation development process. Each of these
communities has put together an extensive internal network of pedestrian
and bicycle routes, which tie together public open space within the community.
These efforts need to be extended, marketed to residents and visitors alike,
and emulated by other communities in the Region. |
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Conk
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Lily Pad Blossom
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| Identify Weak Links and
Correct Creatively |
| While major greenways sites already exist,
there are a number of weak links or disconnections in the proposed system.
For example, no safe off-pavement alternative route to U.S. 23 exists between
Harrisville and Lakeshore Drive; a busy traffic location. A private
parcel blocks logical connections between Black River and Negwegon; and
paving of public routes into the park is discontinuous. Where possible,
such weak links should be resolved without additional acquisition, by creative
cooperation between public managers, use of easements and management agreements,
or site redevelopment in ways which will facilitate trail connections. |
| Develop WEB Site, Connected
to Existing Tourist Bureaus and Chambers |
| The Huron Greenways can be publicized
by creating a WEB site. The site can provide access to system maps,
and to individual site information sheets. Additionally, the site
could be linked to existing data kept by local Chambers, Tourism Councils
and area municipalities. In this way, information can be kept current
by the most capable and informed group |
| Emphasize and Connect
to Water Pathways |
| The Huron Greenways has a unique opportunity
to connect to water trails. At Cheboygan, the Huron Greenway can
link to the existing Inland Waterway. Similarly, existing ferry service
already provides connections to several islands and off-shore features.
This water focus should be emphasized. Connections into and between
the Region’s river systems can make the area especially attractive to canoeists
and kayakers, an increasingly important interest group. |
| Work Proactively with
Major Landowners, Public and Private |
| Large landowners in the Greenway System
include the Federal government, State, County and Local Governments, Golf
Course Managers, and Homeowner Associations. These entities do not
have experience working together, nor working with the sort of linear connections
needed to make a Greenways system successful. An ongoing effort needs
to be made to work with these large landowners, both individually and collectively,
on ways to enhance and advance the cause of the Huron Greenway System.
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Common backyard Pond scene
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| Utilize NEMCOG’s GIS
and Local Government Outreach Capabilities |
| NEMCOG is especially well qualified to
assist in the Greenways project, because it can store and retrieve site
and map information stored in the agency’s GIS system. Furthermore,
NEMCOG maintains information and project-related connections with constituent
local governments in the four-County project region. These services
and contacts can be essential in helping advance the idea and reality of
the Huron Greenways.
Northern Michigan Sunset
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